Nearly a quarter of people in Leeds are drinking at a level which damages their health.

And there were 228 deaths in the city from alcohol-related causes in 2009.

New figures also show Yorkshire residents underestimate the amount they drink, with fewer than 30 per cent admitting they drink more than recommended.

Dr Aldersley, of St James’s Hospital in Leeds and Spire Leeds Hospital, added: “We are noticing big changes with more people in their twenties and thirties dying from alcohol-related causes.

“Twenty years ago this was rare.

“People are starting to drink at a younger age and are drinking larger quantities.”

Gipton GP Dr Jason Broch, chairman of NHS Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group, said within their 200,000-strong population there were communities suffering hardship which also had alcohol-related problems. “What we are also beginning to see is a rise in the numbers of people living in more affluent parts of the city – like Wetherby – drinking more than the recommended limits of alcohol.

“This might be a bottle of wine after work or drinking lots of alcohol at the weekends.